With the Christmas season in full swing, Russellville residents may be looking for ways to help out the less fortunate. For two local nonprofit organizations — The Salvation Army and The River Valley United Way — volunteers are needed more than ever this holiday season.

“I’ve been here three years now, and the need is greater this year than it has been in past years,” said Kelly Royal, a case worker in social services at the Salvation Army.

Royal said The Salvation Army is always looking for volunteer bell ringers. “We have sites without bell ringers that could have them if we had more volunteers,” she said. “Even if you can only volunteer for a few hours, that’s a good thing.”

But while they are known for bell ringing during Christmas time, the organization could also use help in other areas. Individuals can always bring by canned goods or nonperishables for donations. Additionally, people can also make clothing donations to the Family Donations Center on Arkansas Avenue.

In addition to bell ringing, the Army needs volunteers to bag angel gifts and put together over 300 Christmas food boxes, which will be distributed on Dec. 18.

People interested in signing up as a volunteer should sign up at The Salvation Army’s office on Weir Road. People interested in bell ringing can call and be placed on the schedule. The River Valley United Way is another local nonprofit that sees an increased need during December.

“There are needs year-round which barely get addressed,” executive director Beth Latham said. “But during the holiday season, it becomes even more obvious that people are having a really hard time just providing basic necessities like food, shelter and clothing for themselves and their families. Then you add the expectations of the holiday season, and it can quickly become overwhelming.”

For people interested in volunteering with the River Valley United Way, visit www.rivervalleyunitedway.org and click on the volunteer button. From there, people can sign up for the types of organizations and programs they would be interested in helping with.

“Our tagline is ‘Give. Advocate. Volunteer,” Latham said. “That is never more appropriate than at this time of year.”